A THREE Towns councillor has been chosen as the new deputy leader of North Ayrshire Council's Conservative group.

Cllr Cameron Inglis, who was elected last year, will succeed Largs and North Coast councillor Todd Ferguson who has stepped down

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Group of councillors on North Ayrshire Council is the main opposition party with 10 members.

Cllr Inglis said: “I would just like to thank Councillor Ferguson for doing a tremendous job over the past six years. He has worked extremely hard for the party and for the people he represents in the North Coast.

"The opportunity to be depute leader of the Conservative group is exciting and I cannot wait to get started in this role."

Cllr Ferguson commented: “It has been a great privilege to have been depute leader of our group over the last six years.

“Since taking on the role, our group have enjoyed some tremendous successes. We defeated the SNP in the 2021 West Kilbride and Dalry by-election. 

"In the 2022 elections we built on that momentum by increasing the number of Conservative and Unionist councillors becoming the official opposition. 

“However, it is hugely important that we continue to build on these victories and look towards our future successes. 

“That’s why I have decided that the time is right to step down."